Julius Caesar was an exemplary story teller who revealed intrinsic Roman values when writing about the contrasting behaviors of the soldiers under the control of three of his Legates in book five the Gallic Wars: Quintus Titurius Sabinus, Lucius Aurunculeius Cotta, and Quintus Tullius Cicero. Three of the Roman values Caesar reveals are fides (faith), constantia (perseverance), and virtus (courage). In chapter 43, Cicero’s soldiers exhibit all these qualities in their behavior, whereas in chapter 31, the troops of Cotta and Sabinus display fear and foolishness. Similarly, in chapter 33, these same soldiers behave with analogous fear and cowardice. Faced with a difficult decision, Cotta must decide whether they remain or depart from the winter-quarters. In his opinion, they should stay, however he loses out to the opinion of Sabinus. It is announced at first light that they will depart - “Prima luce… proficiscuntur.” None of the soldiers sleep that night, as they are only …show more content…
The soldiers here evoke all three Roman values. The courage of the soldiers was so great and they had the presence of mind that, although they were scorched by flames on all sides, and were pressed by the greatest multitude of weapons, and were aware that all their baggage and all their wealth was burning, not only did nobody leave the tower for the sake of retreating, but no one even looked behind, and then they all fought most fiercely and most bravely- “At tanta mīlitum virtūs… ācerrimē fortissimēque pūgnārent.” The soldiers clearly show courage, with that courage their perseverance is seen, and finally, they exhibit faith that first they would be able to sustain the attack, and second that Caesar will eventually come with a legion to their aid. The actions and behavior of these troops provides a stark contrast between them and those of Cotta and